Scott Rao in his book Everything But Espresso advises that you fill the lower chamber at least 2/3 full when using immersion times shorter than two minutes to ensure sufficient vacuum for a reliable draw-down.

Posted Wed Jun 20, 2012, 8:44am Subject: Re: Do you REALLY need to brew full capacity in a Siphon pot?

Bumping an old thread.

I used a Bodum Santos for over a year before purchasing a Yama 5-Cup. I purchased the 5-cup believing that the ratio of diluted water to coffee would be smaller, and since I mainly used the Santos for smaller amounts that this would be a better option.

However today it struck me to measure how much water was left in the bottom of each carafe once the water travels north just to see what kind of difference I was really getting.

Using a marker to mark the water levels on both pots after the rise, I then took them apart and filled the carafes with water to the lines I drew. I weighed them and much to my dismay the Yama left MORE water than the Santos!

Yama: 2.6ozBodum: 2.2oz

So now I feel a bit foolish for paying for the Yama at all..thinking it would yield a better cup. The Santos will always end up less diluted.

You're missing the point. It is constantly claimed that you should brew smaller amounts in smaller vacpots due to the dilution ratio. I've just shown that the dilution ratio is LOWER in one of the larger pots, so the pot capacity rule is not really true in all cases.

And I'm still of the opinion that using more coffee to combat is pointless, since the mixture at the top should be more concentrated before making the trip south.

Posted Wed Jun 20, 2012, 9:52am Subject: Re: Do you REALLY need to brew full capacity in a Siphon pot?

I'm not missing the point & I know/hear what you're saying.

I've been using vac pots for 10 - 11 years & own the two pots you're talking about, in addition to about 15 more. Your remaining water amounts make sense, as I just a few minites ago measured the bottoms of the two pots.

The Santos bottom diameter is 4" versus 4¾" for the Yama. The diameters are greater farther up where the water line would be (more retained water) after the trip up North. The length/depth of the tube on the Yama is shorter also, resulting in more water in the bottom pot.

Posted Wed Jun 20, 2012, 9:56am Subject: Re: Do you REALLY need to brew full capacity in a Siphon pot?

I am not sure what you are saying?

The Santos leaves less water than the Yama using the same amount of coffee on top. I also did test just eying where the tube extends to on both pots, filling the water to JUST below that level, and weighing it. The Santos leaves less.

Posted Wed Jun 20, 2012, 10:19am Subject: Re: Do you REALLY need to brew full capacity in a Siphon pot?

One thing I have learned in my experience with coffee: don't worry about "official" answers so much; the only thing that matters is if I like the resulting cup. "There's extra water in the bottom... oh no!" "Water temps must be 195-205F!" "10g per 6oz of water!" etc. etc. etc., you hear. Many of those dictums are made by people or groups who are supertasters (I am not), or by people who are splitting hairs in trying to find the best among many good choices.

The worry about this extra amount of water left in a siphon during the infusion is that it technically changes the ratio of brew water to grounds, and this can change the extraction. Technically. You either get a diluted optimal ratio brew, or a non-diluted non-optimal ratio brew. I've never heard of anyone who tried with-vs-without in a double-blind test, but if you find one, let us know. But this worry seems to me like an angels-on-the-head-of-a-pin type of thing. For some people it may matter a lot; but for me there are too many variables in my coffee brewing so that type of thing gets lost in the noise. I find joy instead in discovering what I like and making what I like happen. I'd encourage the OP to experiment (say with marbles and without), and see if it matters to him. If it doesn't, who cares... as long as he likes what he gets.

I personally don't like acidic coffees-- so many Africans and even Central Americans are lost on me. I can't distinguish fine nuances in Costa Rican vs. Brazilian. Sometimes I don't have enough beans to cover the proper ratio for what I want to drink. Sometimes I overroast, or the Behmor won't give me enough time. My Aeropress temps are often below optimal-- GASP! So what. I gear what I make to what I like, and that's all I care about.

Posted Wed Jun 20, 2012, 10:23am Subject: Re: Do you REALLY need to brew full capacity in a Siphon pot?

LOL!, yeah I don't let it worry me.. Evan, I just explained it another way (the trip up North) & remaining water is all, you explained it by filling up to where the water touches the bottom of each of the upper pots tubes, same thing..

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